Chapter 637: Powerful Woman

"Yes!" His personal guards, hearing his command, immediately drew their blades and surrounded Zu An. They dared not be careless, knowing he was a Golden Medallion Embroidered Envoy. However, with General Cheng leading and the other guards forming a combined assault formation, they were certain this lone man would be defeated.

Zu An's expression became serious, and he focused intently, bracing for their assault.

At that moment, a cold, haughty voice whispered in his ear, "Do you need my help?"

Zu An couldn't help but chuckle. He realized Yun Jianyue had been hiding in the room, watching the commotion outside. The thought of her peeking through the door crack struck him as quite amusing.

"No, don't," Zu An quickly transmitted his reply using his internal energy. "If you come out, then I'll truly be dead."

What a joke! If Yun Jianyue were exposed here, even nine lives wouldn't be enough for him.

"Hmph! If I don't come out, you might be dead right now," Yun Jianyue retorted, clearly displeased at being considered a burden.

"Don't worry, I have a plan," Zu An quickly replied, glancing anxiously in another direction. *Why isn't the Crown Princess here yet? Your future man is in danger!*

As if in answer to his silent plea, a graceful figure in splendid attire soon appeared nearby.

Zu An's eyes darted around. Then, he sharply rebuked, "Cheng Xiong, is it because I saved the Crown Prince and Crown Princess last night, ruining your scheme, that you're now trying every method to get rid of me?"

The Crown Princess, who was hurrying from a distance, frowned slightly upon hearing this. She had initially been puzzled by the large group of imperial guards surrounding someone, but hearing Zu An's words immediately sparked numerous suspicions in her mind.

Given her status, she naturally knew Cheng Xiong was a supporter of Prince Qi. Could last night's events truly have been as Zu An implied?

The rivalry between the Crown Prince and Prince Qi had already reached a fever pitch, so any tactic used was not surprising.

Cheng Xiong, who was about to order the attack, was both shocked and enraged by Zu An's accusation. "Bastard, what nonsense are you spouting!"

Zu An coldly replied, "If you don't want others to know, don't do it in the first place. If that wasn't your motive, why would you be so foolish as to provoke me? Is a Golden Medallion Embroidered Envoy so easy to offend?"

Even the soldiers under Cheng Xiong couldn't help but look at their general. It did seem a bit strange. People usually avoided Embroidered Envoys like the plague; they'd thank heaven if an envoy didn't cause trouble, yet their general was actively seeking trouble with one? And a Golden Medallion Envoy at that!

Cheng Xiong was almost bursting with anger. While he often framed others, this time he genuinely found Zu An highly suspicious and strongly believed he was involved with the assassins. Yet, he was the one being questioned.

"Bastard, you've slandered my name! Die!" He drew his sword directly, an overwhelming aura erupting from him as he lunged at Zu An.

He also had another intention: to use this opportunity to test Zu An's combat skills. If he could confirm Zu An used fire-elemental techniques and could wield the flame longblade from that night, then everything would be proven.

Zu An snorted and struck out with a palm, hitting the blade. His Gluttonous Devouring Heaven Art immediately absorbed all the elemental energy from Cheng Xiong's sword.

"What kind of move is that?" Cheng Xiong was filled with doubt and alarm. Each time they exchanged blows, his force vanished without a trace, like an ox made of mud sinking into the sea. He realized he might not be able to defeat Zu An in a one-on-one fight. So, he roared, "What are you idiots standing around for? Attack him!"

The imperial guards all practiced combined assault formations. If they attacked together, Zu An, alone, would surely meet his end.

The guards had already formed their array and were raising their crossbows to shoot when a commanding voice nearby interjected, "Stop! What are you doing?"

Everyone turned to look, and upon recognizing the newcomer, they immediately bowed, "Greetings, Crown Princess!"

Cheng Xiong's heart skipped a beat. *Why is she here?* he thought. Nevertheless, he dared not delay and likewise bowed in greeting.

The Crown Princess's phoenix-like eyes swept coldly over the group. "You're quite impressive, aren't you? Yesterday, when assassins caused chaos in the palace, I didn't see you this spirited. But now, when it's about fighting your own people, you're all full of vigor?"

The guards felt utterly ashamed under the Crown Princess's scorn.

Cheng Xiong, with a calmer mind, quickly explained, "Your Highness, you misunderstand. We are merely investigating a case."

He then recounted how the palace gate guards had discovered an assassin wearing an Embroidered Envoy's uniform trying to sneak out of the palace the previous day.

The Crown Princess scoffed, "If you knew the person was an assassin, why didn't you apprehend them at the time?"

Zu An almost burst out laughing. *As expected of the woman I fancy; even her way of thinking is like mine.*

Cheng Xiong's breath caught, and he hastily explained, "They only realized it afterward."

The Crown Princess glanced at Zu An beside her, thinking *Lord Eleven is indeed as coolly arrogant and handsome as ever*, a slight smile forming at the corner of her lips. However, when she turned back to Cheng Xiong, her expression grew stern. "If you didn't realize it on the spot, how can you be sure afterward that the Embroidered Envoy was an assassin? Do you have any proof?"

"This..." Cheng Xiong was momentarily speechless. These were all his deductions, logical though they seemed, but they genuinely lacked concrete evidence. "We are searching for the Embroidered Envoys' uniforms precisely to find evidence. Those who are innocent will have all their issued uniforms, while the person who let the assassin escape will surely be missing a set."

Seeing his decisive tone, the Crown Princess looked questioningly at Zu An.

Zu An sneered, "As I just said, how can I be expected to prove my innocence based solely on your unilateral claims? If I wanted to deal with you later, I could just concoct any charge and turn your estate upside down. Would you accept that, General Cheng?"

The Crown Princess's mind raced. Having just been prompted by Zu An, she now strongly suspected that Cheng Xiong was likely being used by Prince Qi's faction to target those loyal to the Crown Prince. "Indeed, General Cheng, your explanation lacks conviction."

Cheng Xiong suppressed his anger. "Your Highness, I am not speaking carelessly. Yesterday, a guard passing by witnessed two Embroidered Envoys emerging from his residence. They are eyewitnesses. It is well-known that Embroidered Envoys usually work alone. Who would invite another into their private quarters? Therefore, the other person must have been an assassin!"

He inwardly sneered. If Zu An denied it, he would press his advantage, demanding to know the identity of the other Embroidered Envoy and arranging a confrontation. That way, Zu An would have no escape.

The Crown Princess frowned and looked at Zu An. "Is this true?"

Zu An shook his head immediately. "That's absolute nonsense. When have I ever emerged with another Embroidered Envoy? Those guards are all your subordinates, so they'll naturally say whatever you tell them. General Cheng, you've gone to great lengths to frame me."

Cheng Xiong nearly spat blood. To lie so brazenly with wide-open eyes—how could such a shameless person exist!

In the past, he was a master at framing others, able to make the innocent appear guilty. Yet this time, even knowing Zu An was guilty, he felt utterly helpless against him!

Cheng Xiong hurriedly said, "Your Highness, do not be deceived by this man. He harbors malicious intentions, colludes with assassins, and is surely plotting some massive conspiracy."

The Crown Princess directly interrupted him. "Enough. If Lord Eleven truly colluded with assassins, then why did he save me... *cough*... and the Crown Prince from the assassins last night?"

Cheng Xiong instinctively replied, "The assassins who went to Kuning Palace and the Eastern Palace yesterday might not have been from the same group. His collusion with the Kuning Palace assassins doesn't necessarily mean he was involved with the Eastern Palace assassins."

The Crown Princess's face immediately darkened. "So, the person who saved me and the Crown Prince is colluding with the Kuning Palace assassins? General Cheng, are you implying that we want to kill the Empress?"

Cheng Xiong was utterly dismayed. "This subordinate would not dare! That is not what I meant..."

He tried to say more, but the Crown Princess cut him off directly. "Enough. Lord Eleven was personally vetted by His Majesty and Zhuxie Chixin. If he had issues, General Cheng, are you suggesting that His Majesty and Lord Zhuxie, with their wisdom, are incapable of discerning character?"

Cold sweat streamed down Cheng Xiong's face. "This subordinate would not dare."

This woman was truly formidable; he couldn't possibly counter such grave accusations being thrown at him.

Knowing that the Crown Princess was present, he realized he couldn't deal with Zu An today. He decisively ordered his guards to withdraw, planning to return when the Crown Princess was not around. Next time, he would be better prepared, no longer wasting words with Zu An, but suppressing him with lightning speed the moment they met.